THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 Page 15 RESIDENTS | FROM PAGE 14 • Very soon we will be able to allow the City Council to conduct sessions remotely (fully compliant with the Open Meeting Laws), making Everett fully operational in every respect, while maintaining the social distancing the Mayor envisioned. Auditor’s Office Eric Demas, City Auditor – Eric.Demas@ci.everett.ma.us | 617-394-2214 • The Auditor’s office continues to process payroll checks and critical vendor payments. They are currently working on a more longterm solution to expand our ability to process more vendor checks. All requests will continue to be addressed in a timely manner. Health Department Director Health and Human Services Jerry Navarra – Jerry.Navarra@ci.everett.ma.us | 617-784-7718 Public Health Nurse Sabrina Firicano – sabrina. firicano@ci.everett.ma.us | 857-888-0723 • The Health Department has been working very closely with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to monitor residents that have been exposed to COVID-19. If you feel sick with a fever or dry cough, or other flulike symptoms, call your primary care provider. Always tell your medical provider if you have been in contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. Info for Cambridge Health Alliance patients in regards to Drive-Thru Testing: https:// www.challiance.org/about/ newsroom/cambridge_ health_alliance_to_provide_covid19_testi_1178 Veterans Services Department Jeanne M. Cristiano, Director of Veterans Services – Jeanne.cristiano@ ci.everett.ma.us | 617-3942321 • The Veterans Services Department continues to respond electronically as well as via telephone to any requests from Veterans and families of Veterans for M.G.L. Chapter 115 Assistance, requests from Veterans and families of Veterans seeking assistance in applying for Federal VA Benefits, such as service-connected compensation, non-service connected pensions, Aid and Attendance Pensions, etc. Guidance has been received from the state Department of Veterans Services that streamlines the Chapter 115 process to approve applications for benefits without first obtaining DVS preapproval for the next 60 days with respect to COVID-19. In addition, the state Department of Veterans Services has provided the Everett Veterans Office with an online tool to connect with Military and Veteran families looking for assistance to apply for M.G.L. Chapter 115 benefits during this suspension of all faceto-face meetings with clients – https://massvetben.org/. Human Resources Department Director of HR Lara W. Ammouri – lara.wehbe@ ci.everett.ma.us • We are operating remotely and fully accessible by e-mail. We are responding to inquiries regarding employee issues and concerns (employment, health insurance, voluntary benefits, etc.) and inquiries from the public as applicable. We are using Zoom to conference with the neighboring communities and prepare for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Program, which hopefully will kick off as planned in June. We are also communicating with job applicants as to the status of their applications. We are supporting all staff and departments on coordinating all efforts and directives from the Administration during this time.
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